Multiple border crossings now allow tourists to navigate between Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China. Their flexibility has adapted significantly to the market compared to the past, when immigration to neighboring countries was reserved for locals. Here's a review of these different border crossing points.

Entry to Laos via Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, and the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge between Nong Khai and the Laotian capital, has been possible since July 9 with an e-visa. Some land border crossings accept it as well, but not all. In most cases, this will not guarantee smooth passage.

Thailand Border

There are currently five border crossings between Laos and Thailand accessible by bus. All issue visas in either direction. These five points stretch from north to south across the country. Four of these five crossings are bridges spanning the Mekong River, which forms a large portion of the Laos-Thailand border. List of border posts from north to south.

1. The Houei Sai Bridge, opened in 2013, connecting the province of Chiang Rai in Thailand to the city of Houei Sai in Laos.
2. The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, between Nong Khai in Thailand and Vientiane in Laos, opened in 1994. This crossing point accepts e-visas. 
3. The Third Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, between Nakhon Phanom in Thailand and Thakhek in Laos, opened in 2011.
4. The Second Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, between Mukdahan in Thailand and Savannakhet in Laos, opened in 2006.
5. The Vang Tao border crossing between Chong Mek in Thailand and the city of Vang Tao in Champasak Province in Laos.

Cambodia Border

There are currently two border crossings between Laos and Cambodia. Both issue visas for these neighboring countries. These two points are separated by a 250-kilometer border.

1. The Veun Kham border crossing in Champasak Province in Laos connects it to Steung Treng Province in Cambodia.
2. The Ban Pakha border post connects this town in Attapeu Province in Laos to O'Yadav in the far northeast of Cambodia.

Vietnam Border

There are currently six border crossings between Laos and Vietnam. All issue visas in either direction across this massive 1,500-kilometer border. List of border posts from north to south.

1. The border crossing between the Laotian city of Tay Trang and the Vietnamese city of Sop Hun.
2. The border crossing between the Laotian city of Ban Som in Houaphan Province and the Vietnamese city of Na Maew.
3. The Nậm Cắn border crossing connects the Laotian city of Phonsavan to the Vietnamese city of Vinh.
4. The Nam Phao border post connects Lak Sao in Laos to Vinh.
5. The border between Dansavanh in Laos and Lao Bao in Vietnam.
6. The Bo Y border crossing allows you to travel from Attapeu Province in southern Laos to the Vietnamese region of Kontum.

China Border

There is currently only one border crossing between Laos and China. You can obtain a visa there or inquire with the bus company transporting you.

1. The Boten border crossing in Laos allows you to cross the Chinese border to reach the city of Menglazhen.

Visit our practical information for any additional information regarding obtaining a tourist visa.